Nov. 15--JAMESTOWN, Pa. -- A spark from a machine in a building where tear gas and grenades are produced set off a fire at a munitions plant this morning, Jamestown fire officials said.
The building, known as the "gas house," has a sprinkler system in place, but the system did not put out the fire at Combined Systems Inc., 388 Kinsman Road, officials said.
Firefighters from seven departments in Mercer County, as well as departments from Crawford County and Trumbull County, Ohio, were sent to the facility shortly before 7:30 a.m.
Seven employees in the building and about 163 others working elsewhere in the complex were evacuated without injury.
It took firefighters about an hour to put the fire out.
John Smith, CEO of Combined Systems Inc., said he was not aware of any danger to the surrounding community, due to the type of material produced in the building where the fire broke out.
"Our emergency procedures worked flawlessly, and everyone was accounted for quickly," Smith said. "I'm very grateful to emergency services for responding quickly."
Combined Systems Inc. produces chemical munitions, impact munitions and flash-bang devices, according to information on the company's website. It has 260 employees.
